HC Deb 04 December 1928 vol 223 cc995-6
11. Mr. BELLAMY

asked the Secretary of State for War if any fee is paid to the Charity Organisation Society in respect of inquiries made at the request of the Commissioners of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, in cases of old soldiers applying for the special campaign pension?

10. Mr. MONTAGUE

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the practice of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, to refer Army veterans applying for the special campaign pension to the Charity Organisation Society for inquiry and report; whether this practice has his sanction; what fee is paid the Charity Organisation Society for each inquiry; and if he will take action to ensure that men eligible for pensions shall not be referred to an outside organisation for inquiry and report in future?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Special campaign pensions are compassionate awards, dependent upon the amount of the other income of recipients, and the local officers of the Charity Organisation Society assist in certain cases in checking statements regarding income. I see no reason for discontinuing the practice. No fees are paid and no expenditure from public funds is involved, but I understand that the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital make grants to the Society from time to time from their private funds.